University Update

University Update

TO: All SDSU Employees

FROM: Sally Roush, Vice President of Business and Financial Affairs

March 11, 2010

Budget Update #24

Since Budget Update #23, a few things of note have become clear.
First, the CSU has not been required to make a mid-year budget
reduction. We are well into the spring semester, so a mid-year
reduction would have been problematic. As mentioned in previous
updates, the Chancellor’s Office sought and obtained $75 million in
federal stimulus funds that have been distributed in two parts, the
first $25 million ($2.0 million for SDSU) in late fall to fund spring
2010 course sections, and the second $50 million ($4 million for SDSU)
to fund course sections in academic year 2010/11. These two
distributions have gone directly to colleges to benefit our students.

Second, the Chancellor’s Office recently released its 2010-11
Governor’s Budget Allocation Memo and advised us to expect a relatively
flat state budget for the CSU. Although the Governor’s budget proposes
an increase, it is highly unlikely that an increase will occur given the
enormous financial challenges facing the state. As reported in the news
media, initial discussions among legislators have suggested that higher
education will not be reduced beyond the current year level of funding.
There is, of course, no way to know where the CSU will finally end up
in the state budget. But thus far, there is basis for cautious optimism
that we may not be facing significant further cuts in 2010/11.

We must remain vigilant and watch the budget proceedings carefully.
We must take every opportunity to let our legislative leaders know of
the importance of higher education in general, and SDSU in particular,
to the citizens of our state. We have good reason to be proud of the
responsible manner in which we have taken our budget reductions while
continuing to provide quality service to our students.

TO: All SDSU Employees

FROM: Sally Roush, Vice President of Business and Financial Affairs

March 11, 2010

Budget Update #24

Since Budget Update #23, a few things of note have become clear.
First, the CSU has not been required to make a mid-year budget
reduction. We are well into the spring semester, so a mid-year
reduction would have been problematic. As mentioned in previous
updates, the Chancellor’s Office sought and obtained $75 million in
federal stimulus funds that have been distributed in two parts, the
first $25 million ($2.0 million for SDSU) in late fall to fund spring
2010 course sections, and the second $50 million ($4 million for SDSU)
to fund course sections in academic year 2010/11. These two
distributions have gone directly to colleges to benefit our students.

Second, the Chancellor’s Office recently released its 2010-11
Governor’s Budget Allocation Memo and advised us to expect a relatively
flat state budget for the CSU. Although the Governor’s budget proposes
an increase, it is highly unlikely that an increase will occur given the
enormous financial challenges facing the state. As reported in the news
media, initial discussions among legislators have suggested that higher
education will not be reduced beyond the current year level of funding.
There is, of course, no way to know where the CSU will finally end up
in the state budget. But thus far, there is basis for cautious optimism
that we may not be facing significant further cuts in 2010/11.

We must remain vigilant and watch the budget proceedings carefully.
We must take every opportunity to let our legislative leaders know of
the importance of higher education in general, and SDSU in particular,
to the citizens of our state. We have good reason to be proud of the
responsible manner in which we have taken our budget reductions while
continuing to provide quality service to our students.